Owner Crochets Adorable Earmuffs to Keep Cat Warm and Now You Can Too

As the winter months roll in, many of us are reaching for our cozy scarves and mittens to stay warm in the chilly weather. But in a heartwarming twist, one dedicated cat owner from Italy has taken the idea of winter accessories to a new level, creating custom-made earmuffs for her feline companion.

"Winters can get really cold where I live, and I noticed she often has cold ears. In those moments, she would try to 'hide' under blankets, probably to get warm," Marzia, owner of Russian Blue cat Sasha told Newsweek. "Since cats regulate their body temperature through their ears, I thought some ear warmers could do a great job to keep her warm while she's able to nap anywhere she wants."

Known for her crochet skills, she employed her creative flair to make ear warmers that would perfectly fit the cat's tiny ears.

Despite a layer of warm fur, cats do get cold. A cat's normal body temperature ranges from 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit to 102.5 degrees, slightly higher than the normal body temperature range of 97.9 degrees to 99 degrees in humans.

If a cat is cold, it will engage in heat-seeking behaviors, such as trying to seek refuge under blankets or lying in warm areas of the room. They may also curl up in a "loaf" position to preserve energy and heat.

While cats are generally pretty good at regulating their temperature themselves, factors including age, size, weight and underlying medical conditions can have an impact on heat sensitivity.

It's always a good idea to give your cat somewhere warm and cozy to retreat to if they want to warm up.

But Marzia went for a different option, creating her own crochet pattern for cat earmuffs. Using a 3.5mm crochet hook and wool, they were meticulously designed to ensure Sasha's safety, featuring no strings that could pose a choking hazard and can be easily removed.

After making the earmuffs, Mariza shared pictures of Sasha modeling them on Reddit's r/cats subreddit where people have loved them.

"Clever and cute. She seems to appreciate them," said one commenter.

Mariza did receive some critical comments on Reddit questioning the earmuffs' safety. But she wants to reassure everyone that Sasha's well-being is her top priority. She emphasized that the earmuffs were designed to be easily removable if Sasha ever found them uncomfortable, and there's no choking hazard involved. Of course, to be on the safe side cats should always be monitored why playing with toys or around small objects.

"I'm happy she seems to enjoy my gift to her," said Mariza. "She usually keeps them on for 30 minutes to an hour. Sometimes she even takes a nap."

Inspired by the positive reaction, Mariza decided to write down the pattern, which she has shared with Newsweek and will be the first craft pattern she puts on her new Instagram account @de_sidus.444.

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